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Friday, January 30, 2009

There are a group of Latham employees who will be jumping into the frigid waters of Cape Cod on the last Saturday of January and they're doing it for a really great cause!

The Passion Plunge was established in 1999 as a fundraiser for Special Olympics Massachusetts. So far, our Plungers have worked together to raise over $2 million for the athletes of Special Olympics Massachusetts.
For this reason, a dedicated group of Latham employees will be trudging over the snow covered beach to take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. Please visit this link to see the members of the team and to donate to this very important cause.
Here's a brief rundown of the days events:

Each Plunger should register in advance of the event through the website www.passionplunge.org or by calling Steve at 978-774-1501 x 212. Walk-on plungers are also welcome as long as they have collected their pledges before the start of the event.

Once registered, Plungers raise money (a minimum of $250.00), through the collection of donations from friends, family, co-workers, etc. Each registered Plunger is given a free Passion Plunge website.

All Plungers will check in starting at 10 AM. At that time, they will turn in any checks or cash they have collected and (hopefully) noted in 'My HQ', and they will receive their t-shirt if they met the $250 fundraising minimum.

Plungers and guests can then hang out in the main tent or enjoy the sights and sounds of a beautiful winter New England day at the beach.

At approximately 11:15 AM all costumed Plungers will participate in the costume parade, with winners being announced at the post-Plunge party.

Then, it's into the ocean! Volunteers will be on hand to direct Plungers and assist as needed up at the Sponsor Tent, Parking, the Bath house and on the Beach.

Immediately after the Plunge all Plungers will be directed to the locker rooms or tents to change into some warm clothes. Sorry, there are no showers available.

The post-Plunge party will begin under the heated tent. All plungers and their guests are welcome free of charge. The Post-Plunge bash will feature music, food, fun and prizes!

At approximately 12:30 PM, we will start the awards ceremony to hand out all of the category (Top Fundraiser, Best Team Costume, Golden Plunger, etc.) and raffle prizes.

When is it?
January 31, 2009
Revere Beach, Revere
Old Silver Beach, Falmouth

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Welcome and thanks for checking out our blog! It is here where we hope you will gain a more intimate understanding of who we are as well as offering a place to share stories of hope and life with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

The Latham Centers' Gilbough Program opened its doors to work with individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome in 1980. Today we have evolved from a small program with few individuals to a nationally known leader in PWS residential treatment.

We currently have 6 adult houses with all PWS individuals. All houses have 4 or 5 adults with PWS. Additionally we have 1 adult in a shared-living setting. For the younger population, we also have one of the few childrens residential programs that serves children with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

The Latham School has a capacity for 12 students with PWS (boys 12-22, girls 8-22). All residents participate in a host of community and agency sponsored activities and have productive, active lives.

Our work has shown that there are a number of important key elements. In order for our individuals to experience a vibrant and thriving lifestyle, programming must support and include the following:

Well trained staff versed in Prader-Willi Syndrome

Houses with all PWS individuals

A nutritional plan in place (we have a 5 week nutritional plan)

Either a locked kitchen or locked cabinets and refrigerator

Nursing knowledgeable in PWS health issues

Commitment to utilize community resources (i.e. local gyms, educational resources, shops, day programs)

Involvement in Special Olympics and/or other organized recreational activities

Behavioral specialists (consulting and/or staff)

Psychiatric care with a physician knowledgeable in PWS

Committed teams to work with each individual's abilities, goals, and dreams